JP2011530262A - Portable multi-position magnifier camera - Google Patents

Abstract

【Task】
An object of the present invention is to provide a portable multi-position magnifier camera that can be positioned in various shapes.
[Solution]
At least four different viewing shapes are provided: reading mode, in this case the camera is placed horizontally on the subject; writing mode, in this case the camera is placed at an angle on the subject Handheld mode, in this case the user holds the camera against a remote subject; inspection mode, in this case the user holds the subject close to the camera. These shapes allow the user to efficiently view the subject at various sizes and varying distances.

Description

  The present invention relates to a magnifying glass device for a low vision person. More particularly, the present invention relates to portable magnifier devices having various discrete configurations.

  The use of portable magnifiers for low vision users is known in the prior art. Conventionally, however, these magnifiers are heavy, large and difficult to handle. Furthermore, most of these magnifiers have only one mode of operation that requires the user to hold the device at a certain distance above the subject.

  Other magnifiers do not require the camera to be held above the subject. Although these magnifiers do not need to hold the device, the magnifiers can only achieve focus adjustment by height adjustment. In addition, an adjustment mechanism in particular needs to be provided to selectively adjust the height of the magnifier camera. However, these adjustment mechanisms tend to be large and complex, and are devices that cannot be easily transported.

  In addition, magnifiers designed to be placed on a subject typically have little or no room above the top of the subject. This prevents the user from interacting with the subject. For example, if the subject is a document and the document is enlarged, the user cannot write on the document.

  What is required is a magnifying glass with various shapes and operation modes. In this case, the user can use the device by holding the device on the subject or by placing the device on the subject. It is further required for the magnifying glass to allow the user to interact with the subject even while the subject is magnified. A compact closed arrangement that protects the magnifier when not using the magnifier is also required in the field for portable magnifiers. The portable multi-position magnifier camera of the present invention fully satisfies these requirements.

US Pat. No. 7,172,304

  One of the problems of the present invention is that the user sets the magnifying glass camera to one of various viewing modes in order to optimize viewing of objects of different distances and different sizes. enable.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a magnifying camera that can be held on a subject or positioned on the subject.

  It is a further object of the present invention to provide a magnifier camera that can be positioned over a subject while simultaneously providing a space that allows a user to interact with the subject.

  It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a magnifying camera that is compact and easily transportable and has a closed arrangement that protects the elements of the camera.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a rheostat type controller that improves functionality and ease of use.

  The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more relevant and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood so that the contribution of the invention to the prior art can be more fully appreciated. Is widely described. In the following, further features of the invention will be described which achieve the object of the appended claims of the invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the disclosed concepts and specific embodiments can be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other configurations for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the corresponding subject matter does not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

  The above problem is solved by the display device according to claim 1.

It is a projection view of the magnifying glass camera of the present invention in the reading mode. In this case, the magnifying glass is installed on the subject. It is a projection figure of the magnifier camera reset to the closed shape from reading mode. FIG. 6 is an additional projection of a magnifier camera reset to a closed shape from reading mode. It is a projection figure of the magnifier camera in a closed shape. It is a detailed view of the back of a magnifying glass camera showing the camera and cooperating mirror. It is an expanded view of the light emission chamber of this invention. FIG. 3 shows how light emission is distributed within the light emission chamber of the present invention. It is a projection view of the magnifier camera in the writing mode. It is a projection figure of the magnifier camera in handheld mode. It is a magnifier camera projection figure in the inspection mode of operation. It is a magnifier camera projection figure in the inspection mode of operation.

  The present invention relates to a portable magnifier camera that can be selectively positioned in various shapes. At least four viewing shapes are provided: reading mode, where the camera is placed horizontally on the subject; writing mode, where the camera is placed at an angle on the subject Handheld mode, in this case the user holds the camera against a remote subject; inspection mode, in this case the user holds the subject close to the camera. These shapes allow the user to efficiently view the subject at various sizes and varying distances.

  A camera 10 of the present invention is shown in FIG. The camera 10 has four housing elements. These housing elements are pivotally connected to one another so that the camera 10 provides a variety of different shapes. These housing elements have a cover 20, a control panel 30, a housing 40 and a support 60. These elements are preferably composed of a lightweight impact resistant resin. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resins or other corresponding resins are preferred.

  The cover 20 has an LCD screen 22 positioned in its inner surface. The inner surface has an opposing recess 24. This recess 22 allows the screen 22 to be easily grasped and operated by the user. When the camera 10 is in a closed shape (see FIG. 2c), the outer surface of the cover 22 serves to protect the different elements of the camera 10. The screen 22 is preferably a full color video graphics array (VGA) display. Input to the LCD screen 22 is input from a field programmable gate array (FPGA) built into the camera housing 40. In the preferred embodiment, low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) is employed in the FPGA interconnection to the LCD screen 22. This means a pure digital output on the screen 22 and also allows the camera 10 to be used connected to an external monitor (not shown).

  The cover 20 is pivotably connected to the control panel 30. The control panel 30 includes a slider 32 installed in the center and touch panels 34 and 36 adjacent to each other. Slider 32 provides various controls of one or more camera functions. The variable control can be implemented with a variable resistor such as a rheostat, potentiometer or other equivalent. The controller 34 can be used to take a “snapshot” of the subject. These still images can be stored in a memory for later viewing. The controller 36 can be used to cycle through the modes controlled by the slider 32.

  In one mode, the slider 32 is used to change the magnification of the camera. For example, by moving the slider to the right (as shown in FIG. 1), the user can continuously change the magnification from 3.5 to 14 times. In another mode, the slider 32 is used to change the color combination of the screen 22, i.e., to make it easier for a low vision user to see, the LCD screen 22 will cause the subject to be blue / green, red / yellow or black. / Can be displayed in various color combinations such as white. Thus, the slider 32 can be used to cycle through various color combinations to find the most effective output for the user. This feature can be used both for viewing live images and for still images stored in the camera's memory. In both cases, the slider 32 has the advantage of allowing the user to easily cycle through the selection of various colors.

  The slider 32 can also be used to navigate a camera still image or live image. For example, in one mode, the movement of the slider shifts multiple images from right to left. In another mode, the movement of the slider shifts the images up and down. Both the vertical navigation mode and the horizontal navigation mode can be used for the magnification mode, allowing the user to zoom in on any part of the image.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 a-2 c, the camera housing 40 is pivotally connected to the control panel 30. Thus, in effect, the control panel 30 acts as a hinge between the cover 20 and the housing 40. Referring to FIG. 1, the housing 40 has an output terminal 52 for connecting the camera 10 to an external monitor or television. A power button 50 is also present on the opposite side of the housing 40 (see FIG. 3). Furthermore, the magnifier device of the present invention can be configured to be automatically powered off in a closed configuration (FIG. 2c).

  Optical elements associated with the camera 10 are contained within a chamber 42 positioned within the camera housing 40. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, these optical elements include a sensor 44, a mirror 46, a light source 48, a light guide 54 and an optical lens 56. The chamber 42 preferably has a round inner surface. The inner surface is brightly colored to promote reflection. The light source 48 is preferably two rows of light emitting diodes (LEDs). These light emitting diodes are mounted on a vertical surface in the chamber 42. Other light sources such as a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) may be used in connection with the present invention. In addition, other light sources can be readily selected by those skilled in the art. The light guide is used to direct light from the LED to both the subject and the interior of the chamber 42. A suitable light guide is described in US Pat. No. 7,172,304, registered to Rodriguez et al. The contents of this configuration are fully described in this specification. The sensor 44 is preferably a 3 megapixel CMOS image sensor. Such sensors are commercially available and those skilled in the art can qualify corresponding appropriate sensors. The output of the image sensor is provided to the FPGA and the image buffer.

  The chamber 42 is placed on the subject or positioned toward the subject during use. Next, an image of the subject is obtained by the mirror 46. Sensor 44 and lens 56 are positioned in chamber 42 to record the image reflected by mirror 46. However, the use of other configurations is within the scope of the present invention. An alignment guide 53 is present on the side of the housing to assist blind or low vision users when the chamber 42 is properly oriented with respect to the subject.

  The light supplied to the light guide can also be adjusted to allow selective control of direct and indirect light provided to the subject. That is, for a close subject, such as a subject in reading mode, the light from the light guide 54 is directly incident on the inside of the chamber 42, resulting in an increase in the amount of indirect light used. This is achieved by directing more light directly through the top surface 54a of the light source 54. The resulting indirect light is desirable for nearby positioned objects. On the other hand, in the writing mode and the handheld mode, light is directly incident mainly through the lower surface 54 b of the light guide 54. As a result, a distant subject is illuminated with more direct light than desired under the conditions.

  Hereinafter, various shapes of the camera 10 will be described. These shapes are realized by pivotally connecting the housing 40 to both the control panel 30 and the support 60. Further, in particular, the front end portion of the housing 40 is connected to the control panel 30, while the rear end portion is connected to the support body 60. However, in a preferred embodiment, the connection between the support 60 and the housing 40 allows only a limited degree of angular adjustment. The support 60 is preferably formed from two opposing legs 60a and 60b (see FIG. 6). In order to allow unobstructed viewing of the subject by the camera 44, a space 62 is provided between the legs 60a and 60b. As described more fully below, additional space is formed by pivoting the housing 40 relative to the support 60. A power source (not shown) is preferably built into one leg or both legs 60a and 60b. The power source may be a rechargeable lithium ion battery, for example.

Read Mode The read mode is shown in FIG. In this reading mode, the support 60 is placed on the subject. The cover 20 and the control panel 30 can be angled for optimal viewing by the user. This angle is a preferred mode for viewing a thin subject such as a page of text. In this case, the user does not need to interact with the subject. In order to provide more indirect light, the light guide 54 can be adjusted during the reading mode. Indirect light is desirable in the reading mode due to the sensor 44 being closer to the subject.

Write Mode Write mode is desirable when the user needs to interact with the subject. The write mode is shown in FIG. In this mode, the support body 60 is set again on the subject. Unlike the reading mode, the support 40 is pivoted slightly with respect to the support 60. In preferred embodiments, this angle is less than 45 degrees. A space 62 is formed above by turning the support 40. The space 62 allows the user to write on the subject, for example. This mode can be used, for example, when the user wishes to sign a document or write a check. The light guide 54 can be adjusted during a writing mode that provides more direct light. Direct light is desirable in the writing mode because the sensor 44 is further away from the subject.

Handheld Mode Handheld mode is shown in FIG. Here, the cover 20 is turned so that the outer surface of the cover 20 contacts the support 40. Further, instead of placing the support 60 on the subject, the legs 60a and 60b of the support are gripped by the user. The grip allows the camera 10 to be picked up and directed to a distant subject. The controller 34 can be used to capture a still image of the subject “O” during this viewing.

Inspection Mode Finally, the inspection mode of the camera 10 is shown in FIGS. In this inspection mode, the support 42 is turned, resulting in the chamber 42 being directed to the user. As a result, the user can hold the subject “O” in front of the camera for inspection. As illustrated by FIGS. 8 and 9, the LCD screen 22 may be positioned in different directions during the inspection mode.

  The disclosure is described in the claims as well as the above description. Although the invention has been described in certain preferred forms, the disclosure of the preferred form is merely illustrative, and many changes in configuration details and combinations and arrangements of parts may occur within the spirit and scope of the invention. It is included in the present invention without departing from the scope.

10 camera, display device, camera device, portable camera 20 cover 22 LCD screen, display screen, liquid crystal display, output display 24 recess 30 control panel 32 slider, sliding controller 34 control unit 36 control unit 40 housing, camera housing 42 chamber, Optical chamber 44 Sensor, sensor assembly, CMOS image sensor 46 Mirror 48 Light source 50 Power button 52 Output terminal 53 Alignment guide 54 Light guide 54a Upper surface 54b Lower surface 56 Lens 60 Support 60a Leg 60b Leg 62 Space O Subject

Claims (39)

Has a display screen,
In a display device comprising a control panel for controlling an image displayed on the display screen, the control panel comprising a sliding controller and function keys for cycling through a number of different display modes;
The display device includes a first display mode, wherein the sliding controller is used to change a color combination of the displayed image;
The display device includes a second display mode, wherein the sliding controller is used to position an image within the display screen;
The display device includes a third display mode, and the sliding controller is used to enlarge an image. Has a display screen,
A display device comprising a control panel for controlling an image displayed on the display screen, the control panel comprising a sliding controller and function keys for cycling through a number of different display modes.   The display device according to claim 2, wherein at least one display mode is provided, and the sliding controller changes a color combination of the displayed image.   The display device of claim 2, wherein at least one display mode is included and the sliding controller is used to position an image within the display screen.   The display device according to claim 2, wherein at least one display mode is included and the sliding controller is used to magnify an image.   The display device according to claim 2, wherein the sliding controller is a rheostat.   The display device according to claim 2, wherein the sliding controller is a potentiometer.   The display device according to claim 5, wherein the sliding controller provides a continuous magnification of 3.5 to 14 times.   4. A display device according to claim 3, wherein the sliding controller is used to cycle at least two color combinations of the following color combinations: blue / green, red / yellow, black / white. .   5. A display device according to claim 4, wherein another display mode is included and the sliding controller is used to enlarge an image. Have a magnifying camera,
Having a display screen displaying an enlarged image;
In a magnifying glass device having a control panel for controlling an image displayed on the display screen,
The control panel is pivotally fixed with respect to the display screen, and the control panel has a sliding controller.   The magnifying glass device of claim 11, wherein at least one display mode is provided and the sliding controller is used to change the color combination of the displayed image.   The magnifying apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least one display mode is included and the sliding controller is used to position an image within the display screen.   The magnifying device of claim 11, wherein at least one display mode is included and the sliding controller is used to magnify an image. In a portable multi-position magnifier camera that magnifies the subject,
A cover having an outer surface and an inner surface and a liquid crystal display (LCD) positioned within the inner surface;
A control panel pivotally connected to the cover, the control panel having a sliding controller for selectively changing the camera;
A camera housing having a front portion and a rear portion, and an upper surface and a lower surface, the front portion being pivotally connected to the control panel, and the camera housing having a chamber formed in the lower surface of the camera. The chamber has a partially curved interior;
A mirror is positioned in the chamber to reflect an image of the subject to be magnified,
A sensor is mounted in the chamber to sense the image reflected by the mirror;
By selecting a magnification through the sliding controller, the output of the sensor is visible on the liquid crystal display;
A light source and a corresponding light source are positioned in the chamber, and the light guide selectively controls the amount of light received by the subject;
A support is pivotally connected to a rear portion of the camera housing, the support has two legs, and a space is formed between the legs, and the object is placed in the space. And a portable multi-position magnifier camera wherein the support is pivotable relative to the camera housing for installation in the correct position directly under the chamber. Having a cover with a display screen;
A hinge pivotally connected to the cover;
Having a housing pivotally connected to the hinge and adapted to the user, the hinge allows the display screen to be placed in a correct position relative to the housing;
A sensor assembly is adapted to take an image of a subject positioned within the housing and positioned directly below the housing, after which the image is displayed on the display screen;
A support is pivotally connected to the housing and the user can selectively pivot the support to place the subject in the correct position relative to the sensor assembly; The hinge is a magnifier camera having a sliding controller to allow the user to selectively control the magnification of the image.   The magnifier camera of claim 16, wherein the support has two legs separated by a space and the subject is adapted to be positioned in the space.   The magnifying camera of claim 16, wherein the sensor assembly includes at least one light source and a corresponding light guide, the light guide controlling an amount of light directed to the subject.   The magnifying camera of claim 16, wherein the sensor assembly includes a mirror, and the sensor assembly reads an image reflected from the mirror.   The magnifier camera of claim 16, wherein the sensor is positioned in a chamber configured to reflect light for illuminating a subject with indirect light.   The magnifier camera of claim 16, wherein the hinge includes a sliding controller for selectively cycling various combinations of colors displayed by the display screen.   The magnifier camera of claim 16, wherein the signal between the sensor and the display screen is provided by low potential difference signaling. In portable multi-position magnifier camera,
A cover, a hinge, a housing and a support, all of which are pivotally connected to each other,
An image sensor is positioned in the housing, an output display is positioned in the cover, and the output of the image sensor can be viewed in the output display;
A pivotable interconnection between the cover, the hinge, the housing and the support allows a closed arrangement;
The cover and the support are configured to face each other, the output display is hidden,
In the reading position, the cover is pivoted with respect to the support to allow the user to view the output display;
In writing mode, both the cover and the support are pivoted with respect to the housing, allowing the subject to be positioned directly under the housing;
In a handheld mode, a portable multi-position magnifier camera in which the cover is pivoted in opposition to the housing but the output display is visible. In a camera device for a blind or low vision user,
A camera housing and an interconnected writing stand;
A display screen interconnected to a camera housing for viewing images taken by the camera device;
The camera device has a first arrangement, and the writing stand is angled with respect to the camera housing;
In the second arrangement, the writing stand and the camera housing are in the same plane.   The camera apparatus of claim 24, wherein the camera housing is pivotally interconnected to the display screen by a control panel.   26. The camera apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the writing stand includes a power source.   25. A camera device according to claim 24, wherein an alignment guide is formed in the camera housing and the writing stand.   25. The camera device of claim 24, wherein the display screen can be pivoted in a relationship facing the camera housing.   26. The camera apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the camera apparatus is a magnifying camera, and a rheostat type controller is included on a control panel. A lighting system for a portable camera, wherein the portable camera functions to magnify a subject present in the screen.
An optical chamber is adapted to be positioned on the screen, the optical chamber having a brightly colored inner surface to facilitate reflection, the inner surface comprising a curved inner wall, an angled inner wall and both To record an image reflected by the mirror, having two side walls between the inner walls, and a mirror positioned on the angled inner wall for reflecting the image of the subject present in the screen A CMOS image sensor is positioned in the optical chamber opposite the mirror, and the output of the CMOS image sensor is provided to an output screen by a field programmable gate array;
A plurality of side by side light emitting diodes are positioned on each of the side walls of the optical chamber, and a light guide having a top surface and a bottom surface is positioned on each of the plurality of side by side light emitting diodes, and the bottom surface Is parallel to the screen, the top surface forms an angle with the screen, and the light guide assists in controlling the amount of direct and indirect light received by the subject. If the screen is close to the optical chamber, the light guide causes more indirect light, and if the screen is further away from the optical chamber, the light guide Lighting system, causing more direct light. In lighting systems for portable cameras,
An optical chamber;
An image sensor positioned in the optical chamber;
A light source positioned within the optical chamber;
A light guide movably coupled to the light source and having a top surface and a bottom surface, the light guide to help control the amount of direct and indirect light received by the subject to be magnified Functional lighting system.   32. The illumination system of claim 31, wherein the optical chamber has a brightly colored inner surface to facilitate reflection.   32. The illumination system of claim 31, wherein the optical chamber includes an inner surface having a curved inner wall, an angled inner wall, and two sidewalls between the inner walls.   34. The illumination system of claim 33, wherein the mirror is positioned on an inner wall that forms an angle for reflecting an image of the subject to be magnified.   32. The illumination system of claim 31, wherein the light source is a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged side by side.   If the subject to be magnified is close to the optical chamber, the light guide causes more indirect light, and if the subject to be magnified is further away from the optical chamber, 32. The illumination system of claim 31, wherein the light guide causes more direct light.   32. The illumination system according to claim 31, wherein the image sensor is a CMOS image sensor.   32. The illumination system of claim 31, wherein the output of the image sensor is provided to an output screen by a field programmable gate array. In the lighting system,
An optical chamber including a brightly colored, curved and angled inner surface to promote light reflection;
A camera positioned in the optical chamber, the camera functions to take an image of a subject directly under the expensive chamber;
A light source and a corresponding light guide for illuminating a subject directly under the optical chamber, the light source and the corresponding light guide being positioned in the optical chamber, the light guide being located in the optical chamber; A lighting system that functions to assist in controlling the amount of direct and indirect light received by a subject directly underneath.

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